Role of a Dietitian

Most people think of dietitians working primarily in a hospital or a food service setting. However, with increased consumer interest in healthy eating and the explosion of information technology, the role of the registered dietitian has evolved beyond the stereotypical "institutional" focus.

Dietitians are essential members of the health care team and practice in a wide range of diverse workplaces. Dietitians work -

In health care facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes, community health centres, and home care:
Clinical Dietitians identify nutrition problems and assess the nutritional status of patients; develop care plans and monitor the effectiveness of nutrition interventions; and counsel patients on special diet modifications.

In the community:
Public Health nutrition practice requires the leadership of dietitians with expertise in nutrition, food systems and related public health sciences. Public health nutrition practice encompasses the assessment, promotion, protection and enhancement of health and the prevention of nutrition-related diseases. Using population health and health promotion approaches, strategies focus on the interactions among the determinants of health, food security, and nutritional and overall health.

In foodservice management:
Administrative Dietitians manage food production, distribution and service of high quality meals/snacks, ensuring adherence to sanitation and safety standards and a cost effective operation. They manage food service departments in hospitals and other health care facilities, schools, universities, and businesses and may be employed by contract food companies.

In private practice:
Consulting Dietitians provide expertise in nutrition to promote health and prevent disease, counselling services for nutrition-related diseases and disorders, and management advice to food service operations. They operate their own private consulting practices or businesses and work with individuals, groups, workplaces, and media.

In industry:
Dietitians in Business and Industry assist the private sector with research, product development, marketing, and consumer education. Working with food and pharmaceutical companies, marketing associations and food service providers, dietitians are able to develop, promote and market better food and nutritional products.

In government, education and research:
Dietitians in Government develop nutrition and food policy based on scientific evidence in consultation with stakeholder groups. They also direct and administer nutrition programs and services and may work at the Federal, Provincial, Territorial or local level.
Dietitians in Education teach nutrition, food chemistry or food service administration to students in dietetics, nursing, medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry programs, or the food and hospitality industry. These courses are taught at all levels - elementary and secondary school, college, university, professional schools and hospitals.
Research Dietitians plan and direct research projects which will ultimately enhance patient care and improve the cost-effectiveness of food service. Universities, health care facilities and industry all support research by Dietitians.

Dietitians as Leaders

There are many ways that dietitians are taking leadership to improve the nutritional health of Canadians.  [More]